Spark intensifier for electric currents



Y 1 623 982 12 .1927. G M SMITH v s SPARK' xrEnsIFmn Fon ELECTRICcummurs Filed oct. 6. 1924 v 3 f7 ecn-E M. EFL-LUL dw l lcromuf PatentedApr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES GEORGE M. SMITH, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SPARK INTENSIFIER FOR ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

Application led October 6, 1924. Serial No. 742,026.

This invention relates to improvements in spark intensifiers properlyadapted for use with spark plugs.y

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an intensifierwhich is of great practical value as used for intensifying the sparkingeiliciency of an electric current, in that the same is constructed ofpermanent and durable materials which will not deteriorate by reason ofunfavorable conditions under which the same is used, and which iscompact and correct in operating principle.

.-i further and important object of the invention is the provision of aspark intensifier preferably adapted for use in connection with sparkplugs, as an accessory therefor, which embodies electrodes of adjustableand durably mounted character, and means for varying the length ofsparking gap provided thereby.

,fr further object of this invention resides in the provision of a novelhousing constructed of insulation material, preferably transparent, andembodyingmeans to adjustably support a plurality of electrodes insparking relation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will bc apparentduringthe course of the following detailed description.

ln the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, andwherein similar reference characters designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the improvedintensifier and the means for supporting the same in current conductingrelation with a spark plug.

Figure 2 is an end view of the improved intensifier.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the inside face of one of the pair ofparts which comprise the intensifier housing.

Figure. 5 is a perspective view of a novel type of supporting memberadapted to adliustahly receive an electrode of the intensier.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose 4of illustration is shown only apreferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generallydesignate the improved intensier which is adapted to be supported bynovel conductor bracket means B upon receiving an electrode.

a spark plug C or analogous device, so that current'fron'i a wire orconductor D may be led therethrough and through the conductor B to theproper electrode of the spark plug The intensifier A preferablycomprises a housing 10, formed of insulation material, preferably aclear transparent glass, and which housingl is of'two-part construction,including the parts 11 and 12, of entirely similarformation, and in factthe product of the same mould. The housing is ar.- ranged in the form ofa cube, with the corners thereof rounded to preventbreaking olf of thesame, as is illustrated in the drawing` and within the housing 10 acompartment 15 is provided, which is preferably square, and formed bythe depressions 15a and 15" which are formed inwardly of the facingsides 16 of the parts 11 and 12 respectively. Polygonal shaped recesses17, 18, 19 and 20 are formed inwardly of the surfaces 1G of each of theparts 11 and 12, as is illustrated in Figure l of the drawing, whichextend from the recesses 15L and 15b, to the outer flat sides of four ofthe outer surfaces of the cubular shaped housing 10. These recesses 17to 2O inclusive of each of the parts 11 and 12, when said parts are inassembled relation to provide the housing, provide openings whichsupport the polygonal shaped metal electrode supporting members 25. Toproperly retain these menibers in position it is preferred to cast websor flange extensions 27 in the recesses 17 to 20 inclusive, adapted tofit within recesses 28 provided therefor at the corners of the .members25.

Each of the electrode support members 25 is provided with a screwthreaded opening 8O laxially tlierethrough for adjustably The innersurface 31 of each member 25 lies flush with an inside surface of thecompartment 15 and the outside surface 32 of the member 25 lies flushwith the adjacent outside surface of the housing 10. These members 25are preferably of brass, and in addition to being secured by theextensions 27 these members are cemented in place in the respectiveopenings provided in the housing parts 11 and 12 therefor. Also, thiscement is placed'v on the facing surfaces 16 of the housing parts 11 and12 foi` cementing these parts in position, as at 21a. This cement is atransparent CTI Cil

waterproof heat resisting cement, and permanently holds the housingparts in the assembled relation to provide the cubular shaped housing'or body 10. Each side of the cube body provides a substantially circularflat face, and the two opposite faces and 36, are imperfo "ate, andpermit an unobstructed view of the sparking;` which is adapted to takeplace between the electrodes in the compartment 15. At the diametricallyopposed sides of the body 10, vent ducks or passageways 3S are providedthrough the thickness of the walls of the body 10, to permit atmosphericcommunica-- tion with the compartment 15.

Oppositely disposed electrodes and 41 are provided, the same comprisingbrass screws which are screw threaded from their outer ends and at theinner ends providing` sparking,` points 42. These screw threadedelectrodes are adapted for adjustment in a pair of oppositely disposedbearing blocks 25, so that the electrodes 40 and 41 are in axialalignment with their sparkling` points 42 in facing relation within thecompartment 15, and with their outer externally screw threaded endsexteriorly projecting; from the faces 44 and 45 of the body 10.Hexagonal lock nuts 46 are adjusted on cach of these electrodes, adaptedto be bound in engagement against the adjacent faces 44 andrespectively. and each of these electrodes furthermore includes aknurled thumb adjusting nut 47 outwardly thereon, which may be used toclamp either the bracket B or the conductor D between the same and thelock nuts 46. The outer ends of the electrodes are oppositely attened.as at 50, to facilitate wrench engagement of the same.

A. third electrode 53 is provided. of similar formation with theelectrodes 40 and 41, the same comprising a screw threaded shankadjustably carried in one of the metal bearing blocks 25 at right anglesto the axis formed by the electrodes 40 and 41. rlhis electrode 53provides a point 54 adapted for adjustment within the gap formed betweenthe sparking` points 42 of the electrodes 40 and 41. rihe screw threadedelectrode 53 extends exteriorly of its block 25 and is provided with ahexagonal lock nut 56, and an adjustable thumb nut 5( altogether similarto the nut 47 employed in connection with the electrodes abovementioned. lt is preferred that the block 25 oppositely disposed in thebody 10`from the electrode 53 be free of any electrode, so that thepassageway 230 thereof maybe used for communieating;` the con1partment15 with the atmosphere to permit fresh air to pass therethrough into thesparking' compartment 15.

The support B preferably is formed of brass, and is l -shaped information, providing a leg at its outer end having a n opening 61therethrough adapted to be disposed over the conventional screw threadedcentral electrode 62 of the spark plugl (l, so that lthe bi ding nut 6?may be clamped against the leg 60 at its free end to support the same inlaterally extending rigid relation from the spark plug', and at rigrhtangles to the axis thereof. The bracket B furthcrmnre in'- cludcs anupstanding lopY 6l, at right angle to the leg 60, and which at the upperend thereof is provided with an openingtg` 66 adapted lo receive thescrew threaded electrode 40 therethrough, so that the knurled tlnnnb nut47 may clamp this leg 64 against the lock nut 46 to effectively supportthe intensifier Si on the bracket E in rigid lined relation therewith,so that the axis formed by the electrodes 40 and 41 is horiZoi-itallydisposed and at right angles to the axis of the spark plug` C. Theconductor l) is to be connected between the nut 47 and the lock nut 46of the electrode 41.

Referringto the operation of the intensilier, the current from the coilto the spark plug passes through the conductor l), and through theelectrode 41. The electrode 5?; may he referred to as a neutralelectrode. and it is adapted to be adjusted in line at right angles tothe axes of the electrodes 4^.) and 41, so that the end 54 thereof maybe disposed in proximate desired sparkingv relation with the sparkingends of the elcctrodes 40 and 41. rlhe current pass a spark over the gapbetween the sparking` end of the electrode 41 antL the sparkling` end ofthe electrode 53, and the current passes thence across the gap betweenthe electrodes and 40 and into the spark phng by vway of the supportingbracket B. rlhe current is of course intensihed, and delivers a hotintensified spark in the spark plug, rendering all the more efficientthe explosion of the fuel in the cylinder Vof an intern-.1l combustionengine to which the spark plug; C may be attached.

has been provided which is formed of parts which are periminently anddurably con uezted,A and which will not deteriorate incident todampness. tcriorating influences to which an intensifier are ordinarilysubjected. lt well known that conventional intensitiers soon lose theirusefulness, because of the fact that they are of flimsy construction. Tothis end the intensilier has been provided. which is formed of durablematerials, and the electrodes are effectively mounted to retain theiradjustment, so that they cannot become detached or disconnected or outof adjustn'ient, and the sparks between the gaps in the compartment 15are always visible through the sides 35 and 36 of the intensifier, andthese sides and 36am disposed in a vertical plane, so that the line ofvision may readily Cil ISO

pass therethrouglli at right angles to the plane formed by theelectrodes l0, l and 53.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrai-igement of parts may bemade to the forni of the invention herein described and claimed`n'ithoi-lt departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe claims.

I claim:

l. As an article of marulfactnre a spark intensifier comprising asubstantially transparent housing of insulation material having a smallcompartment interiorly thereof, oppositely disposed electrodes carriedby the housing each having ends mounted exteriorly of the housing andends projecting into the compartment of the housing in spaced spark. gapproviding relation. and a third,

electrode adjustably Acarried by the housing with an end extendingexteriorly of the housing and an opposite end extending into thecompartment of' the housing` for adjustment transversely toward and awayfrom the gap of the first mentioned electrodes.

Q. In a spark intensifier the combination 0f a substantially transparentinsulation body having a small sparking compartment therein, axiallyaligning electrodes adjustably carried by the body at opposite sidesthereof each having ends extending exteriorly of the body and endsprojecting into the compartment of the body in spaced sparking relation,and a third electrode adjustably carried by the body in ai line at rightangles to the axes of the first mentioned electrodes, the thirdelectrode h Jing an end extending exteriorly of the body and an endprojecting into the body in the compartment thereof in the space betweenthe facingends of the first mentioned electrodes for adjustment towardsand away from the space between the sparking ends of the first mentionedelectrodes, the body at the opposite side thereof, facing the end of thethird electrode which is in the compartment, having a vent ducttherethrough from the compartment to exteriorly of the housing,

3. As an article of manufacture a spark intensifier' formed oftransparent glass material of substantially cubnlar formation providinga compartment therein with transverse openings through said body intosaid compartment at four sides of said body, metal bearing blocks insaid openings, providing openings therethrough, and electrodes carriedin three of the openings of said bearing blocks.

4i.. As an article of manufacture a spark intensifier formed of'transparent glass material of substantially cubular formation providinga compartment therein with transverse openings through said body intosaid compartment at four sides of said body, metal bearing blocks insaid openings providing openings therethrough, electrodes 'arried inthree of the openings of said bearing blocks, and means for Vrelativelyadjusting said electrodes to vary the sparking distance between thefacing ends thereof in said compartment. i

its an article of manufacture a housing for spark,iutcisiier comprisinga pair of complementary sections each of which includes a recesssubstantially centrally inwardly of a faceA thereof with recessesextending from said mentioned recess to the outer sides of each of saidsections, means assembling said sections in permanent relation so thatthe recesses of said sections provide a substantial-ly centralcompartment and openings exten-fling therefrom to the outer sides ofsaid bot y, metal bushings in said openings providing passagewaystherethrough, and adjustable electrodes cairried 1n said metal bushingpassageways having the ends thereot extendinfr inispaced sparkingrelation in the compartment of said body.

G. in a spark intensifier the combination of a body formed of a pair ofsections which are of idem' Ll shape and form, each of .said sectionsincluding a: part haring` a depression therein ancl recesses extendingfrom said depressions to the outer sides of said sections, transparentcement connecting said sections together so that said depressions rornia compartment in the body with the recesses providing openings from thecompartment to the outer sides of said body, metal bushings cemented insaid openings and providing screw threaded openings therethrough, a pairof externally screy threaded electrodes adjustably carried in a pair ofthe oppositely disposed lnishings so that the electrodes are in axialaligning relation with the facing ends thereof in sparking relation withthe compartment of said body, terminal clamping means on the electrodesat their outer ends without the body.v and a third electrode adjustablycarried in a bushing of said body in line of adjustment at right anglesto t-he first mentioned electrodes and so that they sparking` endthereof ma).Y be adjusted between the facing sparking ends of theelectrodes iirstmentioned.

'.7. In a spark plug' intensiiier the combination of a. transparentinsulation body formed ot" a pair of sections each of said sectionsproviding a depression therein with recesses extending from saiddepressions to certain of the outer sides of said sections, saidrecesses having relatively thin retaining ribs extending thereacross,metal bushings of substantially polygonal shaped formation havingrecesses therein and an externally screw threaded passageway therein,and transparent cement connecting said housing sections together so thatthe depressions of said sections form a comgartn'ient within the housingand so that the bushings are disllO posed in said recesses with theretaining ribs extending into the depressions of said bushings to holdthe same in fixed relation in `said recesses.

A spark intensifier comprising a cubular housing of transparent materialproviding a compartment therein, said housing having vent openings tosaid compartment, metal bushings provided through said housing atopposite sides ther-eet, electrodes adj ustable in said met-al. bushingsincluding sparkingl ends extending` into said compartment, terminalclamping nuts on the outer ends of said electrodes, a third bushing insaid housing between said first mentioned bushings providing apassageway therethrough, and a third electrode adjustably carried bysaid bushings in line for adjustment transversely of the axis of saidlirst mentioned electrodes and including a sparking end adapted toextend into the compartment between the lirst mentioned electrodes.

9, spark intensilier comprising a transparent insulation body having asparking compartment therein, oppositiely disposed metal bushings insaid compartment having aligning screw threaded passageways com- Iirstmentioned, the screw threaded opening vof the third bushingconnnunicating between the compartment and exteriorly of the body,adjustable electrodes carried by the oppo site/ly disposed lnishings inthe aligning screw threaded passageways thereof having spaced sparkingends thereotl in projecting relation in the compartment of said body,and a third screw threaded electrode adjustable in the screw threadedopening of said third bushing transversely arranged with respect to thefirst mentioned electrodes for adjustment in a line transversely of theadjustment of the iirst mentioned electrodes, and with an end thereofprojecting into spaced sparking relation in the compartment between thesparking ends of said lirst mentioned electrodes.

GEORGE M. SMITH.

